April 28, 1920.
My dear Miss Addams: --
Enclosed herewith is a copy of the letter in which I reported to Mr. Wilbur K. Thomas of the American Friends Service Committee, on the Conference of the Joint Committees on the repatriation of the Siberian War Prisoners. It seems that originally there were 1,600,000; but owing to various causes, -- all the way from actually returning and being received in their homes; the German Government’s hiring Japanese ships to repatriate their Nationals; the Soviet Government’s assuming moral responsibility, whether they have done anything else or not unknown to Mr. Keppel, -- there are now about 14,000 to 17,000 prisoners, mostly Austrians and Hungarians near Vladivostok with perhaps a few Turks. This Joint Committee is trying to raise $1,500,000 to hire transports from the United States Government for these prisoners. These transports are at present occupied in repatriating the Czecho-Slovak troops at $210.00 apiece, which includes Government ration on the way, to transport them from Vladivostok to Trieste or Fiume.
We are actually trying to raise $3,000,000. The Red Cross has underwritten $250,000; The Joint Distribution Committee of the Jews, $250,000; and the Relief Committee of the Hungarians, $300,000. We hope that the Y.M.C.A. and the Federal Council of the Churches, and the Austrian group will be able to increase this fund materially. I will keep you informed of any further action which is taken or information obtained.
I return herewith the letter from K. E. Royds.
Yours sincerely,
L. Hollingsworth Wood [signed]
Encl.
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